When it comes to effective cybersecurity, it truly takes a village.

When we think of cybersecurity, the analysts working on the front lines to prevent, detect, and respond to cybersecurity threats often come to mind. But designing and implementing an effective cybersecurity program requires people with a wide range of skillsets who often work behind the scenes. This includes not only technical skills, but also expertise in policy development, insurance, law enforcement, education, and research. 

Hosted by CANARIE, the goal of the Canadian SecuR&E Forum is to build community and foster knowledge-sharing by connecting those involved in cybersecurity to people and disciplines that they may not have previously encountered.  

Build Community
Share Knowledge
Connect

Who Should Attend?

  • Cybersecurity practitioners
  • Executives with cybersecurity-related responsibilities (e.g., CISOs, CIOs, Directors of Information Security, and similar roles)

  • Cybersecurity insurance specialists
  • Researchers in cybersecurity
  • Anyone interested in cybersecurity in research or post-secondary environments
Vickery Bowles

City Librarian, Toronto Public Library (TPL)

Vickery Bowles is the City Librarian at Toronto Public Library (TPL), which delivers services through a network of 100 branches and online channels. She believes passionately in the difference public libraries make in the lives of individuals, communities, and cities. Vickery is advancing TPL’s strategic plan to support opening public spaces, digital access and inclusion, workforce development, democratic values and civic engagement, and an innovative service culture.

Vickery is a former Chair of the Urban Libraries Council (ULC), based in Washington, D.C., a member of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC), and a Board member for the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL).

Jennifer Burns

CIO, University of British Columbia

Jennifer provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure UBC’s digital capabilities meet the needs of the University’s teaching and research community, as well as identifying opportunities to deliver efficient and effective administrative solutions. In our changing landscape, this means both optimizing existing technology and engaging the UBC community to explore and leverage emerging new technologies while ensuring a robust and secure foundation.

Jennifer serves as a Board member of the Canadian University Council of Chief Information Officers, the Board Chair of BCNET, and was one of the founding members of CanSSOC.

Michelle Ching'anda

Director, Information Technology Security, Humber College

Michelle joined the Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in 2014 and spearheaded the creation of a project management methodology that has played a pivotal role in enabling the successful delivery of technology and capital projects. As the head of the Information Security team, Michelle is focused on initiatives that will continue to enhance Humber’s security posture in an increasingly complex and ever-changing environment.

Beyond Humber, Michelle actively contributes to the broader cybersecurity community by serving on the steering committee for the Ontario Cybersecurity Higher Education Consortium (ON-CHEC). Michelle also enjoys serving her community by volunteering as a Board member for Peel Cheshire Homes Streetsville, in addition to being involved for many years with Habitat for Humanity.

Paul Cisneros

Cybersecurity Analyst, University of Winnipeg

Paul Cisneros is a cybersecurity enthusiast with more than 10 years of experience in the cybersecurity field.

As part of his role at the University of Winnipeg, Paul applies defined security strategies for the University’s technology assets. This includes best practices for network, servers and application security that help ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of resources. He also contributes to the planning and development of complex institution-wide projects throughout the entire technology development life cycle, including arranging, facilitating, and participating in technology security design and planning sessions to develop solutions to security problems.

Additionally, Paul acts as a technical resource for departments in security product and service deployment, and aids in the investigation and analysis of cyber security incidents.

Paul holds a master’s degree from Camilo Jose Cela University (Spain).

Tracy Dallaire

Director, Information Security, McMaster University

As the inaugural Director of Information Security Services at McMaster University, Tracy Dallaire is a leader in Cyber and Information Security and a digital strategist. In this newly created position, Dallaire is developing and leading an Information Technology (IT) Security roadmap for the institution as part of the McMaster IT Strategic Plan. Tracy also leads the Institution’s IT Security Team as a member of the AVP and CTO leadership team.

Tracy has 25 years of public sector experience, most recently from Mohawk College, where she has held the positions of Senior Director Technology Integration Academic and Senior Director IT Strategy, Cyber and Architecture, respectively. Prior to Mohawk College, Tracy worked at eHealth Ontario as their Chief Audit, Risk, and Compliance Officer, and previously held roles with various Ontario provincial government departments including Treasury Board, the Ministry of Agriculture, and Food and Rural Affairs, among others.

Tracy has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario, a master’s in public policy and public administration from Concordia andUniversity University and is a Certified Management Consultant. She is also actively involved in promoting STEM and Information Security as an academic pursuit and career path as a member of several program and STEM advisory committees, and Women in Technology initiatives.

Guillaume Dubé

Chief Information Security Officer, Université Laval

Guillaume Dubé is an information security professional with a 17-year career at Université Laval. Guillaume has served as Université Laval’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the past four years, after having spent the previous 13 years in various roles dedicated to information security, ranging from operational security to security architecture.

Guillaume also currently serves as Co-Chair of CUCCIO’s Information Security Special Interest Group (SIG) and is accredited by ISACA as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC).

Steve Dyson

Principal Consultant, Unit 42 by Palo Alto Networks

Steve Dyson is a principal consultant at Unit 42 with a background in law enforcement and a focus in the healthcare, education, and financial services sectors.

Steve is highly skilled in cyber risk management, cloud security, threat mitigation, and intelligence gathering and analysis, having developed expertise in a range of cybersecurity incident response and threat hunting tools, as well as in information security system design, management, and analysis.

Dr. Neil Fassina

President, Okanagan College

Drawn to the institution for its reputation for transforming lives and communities, Dr. Neil Fassina became Okanagan College’s President in April 2021.

Prior to joining Okanagan College, Dr. Fassina was the President of Athabasca University (2016-21). He also served previously as Provost and Vice President Academic, and as Dean of the JR Shaw School of Business and School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).

Dr. Fassina holds a PhD in Management from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto, a BSc in Psychology from the University of Calgary, and is a chartered professional in human resources (CPHR), and a chartered director through the Institute of Chartered Directors (ICD.D). As an active researcher, he has authored or co-authored several refereed articles, a Canadian Human Resource Management text, and pursues research interests in negotiations, applied decision making, and the role of education in shaping societies.

Gayleen Gray

Associate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, McMaster University

As the Associate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at McMaster University, Gayleen leads the institution’s IT strategy and service operations, aligning them with the university’s research, teaching and learning goals.

With almost 25 years of experience in Canadian higher education IT, Gayleen has played a pivotal role with the Canadian University Council of Chief Information Officers (CUCCIO) as one of its founders, and continues to contribute to its leadership development programs. Additionally, she is the current Chair of the Standing Committee on Cybersecurity, and a member of the CUCCIO Board. Gayleen was also a founding member of CanSSOC, now part of CANARIE.

Her involvement also extends to EDUCAUSE, having previously served on its Board and participating as a faculty member in various EDUCAUSE institutes. Her leadership experience is further demonstrated by her former service on the boards of CANARIE, ORION, and the University of Guelph governance bodies, among others. Gayleen’s expertise and service have earned her accolades, including the 2013 Guelph Women of Distinction in IT and the 2019 CUCCIO Community Award.

Alex Matos

Director of Internal Audit, University of Toronto

Alex Matos is the Director of Internal Audit at the University of Toronto and has over 20 years of combined experience in both the internal audit function within the public sector and external audit and public accounting.

He has led two audit teams towards reshaping their assurance functions to better coordinate with organizational strategic risk management processes and has delivered value to governors and leaders.

More recently, he has been working on shifting the focus of the internal audit function at UofT to align its efforts and resources with the significant risks and priorities faced by the institution. This has included working closely with the Information Security team at the University as they explore tools and techniques in support of stronger risk management practices while making the most effective use of existing resources.

Earl Maynard

Senior Strategic Advisor - Cyber Partnerships, Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity

Earl Maynard is a Senior Strategic Advisor within the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, part of the Communications Security Establishment.

He has over a decade of experience in federal government working with stakeholders to develop and execute solutions to complex policy and operational challenges. From the Lower Mainland of BC, Earl is working to advance the Cyber Centre’s strategic partnerships with governments, critical infrastructure owners and stakeholders, private sector, and academia.

Julie Menzies

Director, NREN Cybersecurity Services, CANARIE

Julie Menzies is the Director of Cybersecurity Services for Canada’s National Research and Education Network (NREN) at CANARIE. In this role, she is responsible for supporting the strategic planning, design, delivery, and the ongoing evolution of cybersecurity services, contributing significantly to the NREN’s mission.

Julie most recently played a key role in launching the National Cybersecurity Assessment—an initiative of paramount importance within the Canadian research and education (R&E) community. This landmark initiative serves as an invaluable guide, enabling the Canadian R&E sector to make informed decisions in the realm of cybersecurity investments.

In her off hours, Julie loves to travel and spend time with her family outdoors; skiing, hiking, biking, or attempting to golf.

Kevin Paul

Director, Cybersecurity Operations, Cybera

Kevin Paul is a leader with a unique blend of experience in both cybersecurity and law enforcement.

Kevin is currently focused on the implementation of a regional SOC for Cybera’s members while working to integrate into a new national CanSSOC.

Prior to joining Cybera, Kevin led the Calgary Police Service’s (CPS) Cybercrime Team. Under his leadership, the team supported several international ransomware and online undercover operations. He was also responsible for developing an Advanced Cyber Capabilities Team and a public-private-public partnership with the University of Calgary Cyber Assessment, Training and Experimentation (CATE) Centre.

Kevin has a degree in Computer Science from the University of Calgary and worked for the University and a national telecommunications company in various technical roles, including high performance research computing and security.

Jared Perry

Cloud Security Practice Lead, Stratum Security

Jared Perry is the Cloud Security Practice Lead at Stratum Security where he focuses on helping improve cloud security and security programs for start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.

Prior to joining Stratum Security, Jared was an IT Security Administrator at Memorial University, where he worked to implement a robust security program and handled security operations including incident response.

A supporter of the local technology ecosystem, Jared helps organizations and startups improve their security practices. He has also worked to improve and simplify standards at the national level as a participant in advisory committees such as Health Canada’s Scientific Advisory Committee for Digital Health Technologies.

Khushbu Pratap

Vice President, Cyber Security, Gartner

Khushbu Pratap is VP team manager of cybersecurity experts specializing in cloud security and infrastructure protection within Gartner’s research and advisory business. Her team delivers marquee insights on thriving in hybrid environments by securing the network edge, developing zero trust strategy, and identifying right-fit network segmentation approaches. They also deliver insights on evidence-based measurement to threat prioritization and securing web applications in the cloud.

Khushbu has spent over a decade advising CISOs and CIOs, senior leaders, and board members on the practical implementation of risk management strategy. Before Gartner, Khushbu led the governance, risk, and compliance practice at NII consulting with an expansive view on program management systems including information security, IT service management, business continuity, and privacy.

Khushbu has authored/co-authored over 50 publications on risk, audit, compliance, and program management and spoken at Gartner security summits, the CIO Association of Canada, and Factor Analysis of Information Risk Conference, among many others.

Khatija Qureshi

Cybersecurity Speaker & Trainer, K.Digital

Khatija Qureshi is a SANS-trained and Global Information Assurance (GIAC) Certified Cybersecurity Professional and Incident Handler.

With over a decade of experience in marketing, brand building, and communications, she is dedicated to humanizing the field of cybersecurity. Her approach involves understanding human needs and communicating empathetically in a language that resonates with her audience.

Ivan Salles

Director, Strategic Initiatives - SOC, Trend Micro

Ivan Salles is a Security Operations practitioner with global consultant experience helping leaders strategically navigate topics such as SOC, MDR, EDR, XDR, SIEM, and vulnerability management.

He collaborates with communities like Mente Binária and SOC Brazil and is Director of Strategic Initiatives – SOC at Trend Micro Canada.

Ivan holds CISSP and CISM certifications and is also an SOC-CMM Certified Assessor.

Anju Sohal

Senior Program Manager, ORION

Anju Sohal is the Senior Program Manager for training and community development at ORION and is at the forefront of cybersecurity education. In this role, she oversees the growth and success of the cybersecurity training portfolio for Ontario universities and colleges.

Anju has been instrumental in establishing ORION’s cybersecurity awareness training program tailored to the specific needs of the higher education sector by introducing customized content and phishing simulations. She leads training advisory forums to collect feedback as well as input to help shape and drive the vision and future development of cybersecurity training programs.  Furthermore, she has been an active member of the Ontario Cybersecurity for Higher Education Consortium (ON-CHEC).

Over the past few years, Anju has been actively volunteering at local senior care homes where she has provided invaluable support to residents by assisting with daily activities, fostering a sense of community, and offering companionship.

She’s also a mentor, advocate, and a driving force in promoting diversity and inclusion within ORION and the Canadian cybersecurity landscape.

Steve Till-Rogers

Chief Information Officer, Toronto Public Library

Steve Till-Rogers is the Director of Digital Strategy and Chief Information Officer with the Toronto Public Library (TPL). Steve provides the vision for delivery of TPL’s Digital Strategy to support IT service innovation and digital access and inclusion.

Prior to joining the Toronto Public Library, Steve was the Director of Technology Services with Edmonton Public Library, deploying new technologies and digital experiences within the library including The Wall, at the Stanley A. Milner Library.

An experienced executive leader with expertise within public libraries and financial services, Steve has been acknowledged as a creative pioneer of emerging technologies, and skilled in IT strategy, project management, and business process improvement.

Call for Speakers

The Call for Speakers is currently closed.


Cybersecurity practitioners, executives with cybersecurity-related responsibilities (e.g. CISOs, CIOs, Directors of Information Security, and similar roles), cybersecurity insurance specialists, and researchers in cybersecurity are invited to submit proposals for short presentations at the Canadian SecuR&E Forum.

Those selected to speak at the conference will receive complimentary registration and two nights accommodation at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre.

Presentation Details

The length of presentation is 20 minutes, including a five-minute question and answer period.

Submission Guidelines

All submissions must include:

  • Presenter’s Name, Title, Email address, and Organization
  • Presenter bio (maximum 150 words)
  • Presenter photo
  • Presentation abstract (maximum 250 words)

Evaluation Criteria

The following criteria will be used to select presentation proposals:

  • Relevance of the topic to the Canadian SecuR&E Forum community
  • Clarity of the proposal
  • Uniqueness/originality of the topic

Note: Presentation deck must be provided in PowerPoint.

Key Dates

  • March 27, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET – Submission deadline
  • April 5, 2024  – Notification of successful submissions

Program

The Canadian SecuR&E Forum will be conducted in English, but simultaneous French interpretation will be offered.

We’re grateful for the contributions of our Program Team for helping to shape this year’s SecuR&E Forum.

April 30, 2024
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Registration and Breakfast

9:00 – 9:15 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Indigenous Elder Blessing
MCs Welcome
Kathryn Anthonisen | President and CEO, CANARIE

9:15 – 10:00 a.m.

Uncharted Territory: Mapping the Cybersecurity Threat Landscape

Steve Dyson | Principal Consultant, Unit 42 by Palo Alto Networks

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Behind the Headlines: Exploring Recent Cyber Breaches

Dr. Neil Fassina | President, Okanagan College

10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Break and Networking

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Panel
Balancing Act: The Art and Science of Risk Management

Moderator: Jennifer Burns | Chief Information Officer, University of British Columbia
Guillaume Dubé |
Chief Information Security Officer, Université Laval
Khushbu Pratap | Vice President, Cyber Security, Gartner
Alex Matos | Director, Internal Audit, University of Toronto

12:00 - 1:30 p.m

Lunch and Networking

1:30 - 1:50 p.m.

Community Session
From Dark Web to Encryption: Anatomy of a Compromise

 

Kevin Paul | Director of Cybersecurity Operations, Cybera

1:50 - 2:10 p.m.

Community Session
Building a Bulletproof SOC: Leveraging the SOC-CMM Framework

Ivan Salles | Director, Strategic Initiatives – SOC, Trend Micro Canada

2:10 - 2:30 p.m.

Community Session
Refining & Defining Security Awareness Training

Khatija Qureshi | Cybersecurity Speaker & Trainer, K. Digital

2:30 – 3:00 p.m.

From Recruitment to Resilience: Building Strong Cybersecurity Teams

Tracy Dallaire | Director, Information Security, McMaster University

3:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Break and Networking 

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Fireside Chat
Trust Restored: Strategies for Regaining Confidence Post-Cyber Attack

Moderator: Deyves Fonseca | Acting Chief Information Security Officer, University of Toronto
Steve Till-Rogers | Chief Information Officer, Toronto Public Library
Vickery Bowles | City Librarian, Toronto Public Library

4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Fireside Chat
Inclusion in Cyber Canada

Michelle Ching’anda | Director, Information Technology Security, Humber College
Julie Menzies | Director, NREN Cybersecurity Services, CANARIE
Anju Sohal | Senior Program Manager, ORION

5:15 - 7:15 p.m.

Reception

May 1, 2024
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Registration and Breakfast

9:00 – 9:05 a.m.

Welcome

MCs

9:05 – 9:50 a.m.

Beyond Borders: National Security in the Digital Era

Earl Maynard | Senior Strategic Advisor – Cyber Partnerships, Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity

9:50 - 10:10 a.m.

Community Session
Attack Surface Visibility

Paul Cisneros | Cybersecurity Analyst, University of Winnipeg

10:10 - 10:30 a.m.

Community Session
Security Challenges with the Proliferation of AI

Jared Perry | Cloud Security Practice Lead, Stratum Security

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Introduction of Sector Dialogue

Tracy Dallaire | Director, Information Security, McMaster University

10:45 - 11:15 a.m.

Break and Networking

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Sector Dialogue
From Insight to Action: Building a Secure Future for R&E Together

Moderators:
Tracy Dallaire | Director, Information Security, McMaster University
Gayleen Gray |  Associate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, McMaster University
Don Thompson | Chief Information Security Officer, University of British Columbia

12:15 – 12:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Peter Wilenius | Vice President, Cybersecurity Programs and Services, CANARIE

 

Canadian SecuR&E Forum Program Team

 

Community Team Members

  • Sandra Cascadden, ACORN-NS
  • Chad Coller, SRNET
  • Tracy Dallaire, McMaster University
  • Alex Doradea-Cabrera, BCNET
  • Guillaume Dubé, Université Laval
  • Deyves Fonseca, University of Toronto
  • Evan Garland, Camosun College
  • Gayleen Gray, McMaster University
  • Lindsay Sill, CUCCIO
  • Don Thompson, University of British Columbia
  • Bo Wandschneider, University of Toronto

CANARIE Team

  • Alex Bushell, CANARIE
  • Christina Colangelo, CANARIE
  • Scott Henwood, CANARIE
  • Lesley McElroy, CANARIE
  • Julie Menzies, CANARIE
  • Claire Newlands, CANARIE
  • Sébastien Nolet, CANARIE
  • Steve Rosco, CANARIE
  • Ela Yazdani, CANARIE

Registration

All fees are in CAD and are subject to GST. Registration fees include all on-site meals throughout the Forum, including the Reception on April 30. 

  CANARIE Members* Non-Members
Early Bird Rate (up to April 4) $399 $449
Regular and On-Site Registration Rate (April 5 - 30) $449 $499

*Check to see if your organization is a Member of CANARIE. 

Register Now

Sponsorship

Travel & Accommodations

Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre

1000 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6Z 2R9

The Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre is centrally located in downtown Vancouver and a short distance from attractions such as Stanley Park, English Bay, the Seawall, Yaletown, and Robson Street. The hotel offers both city and ocean views and the comforts of home in a chic, urban setting. Guests are welcome to work out in the on-site fitness centre or take a dip in the heated pool. 

Reservations 

CANARIE has secured a room block at a highly discounted rate, starting at $279/night + taxes, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. 

Please note:
There are limited spots available in this block. Hotel rooms in Vancouver throughout April are at a premium, so please book your accommodations as soon as possible using the link below. 

SecuR&E Forum Reservations: Direct Reservation Link 

You can also make reservations by calling the hotel directly at 1-604-331-1000 or toll free at 1-888-627-7058. Please quote the group name Canadian SecuR&E Forum 2024 when you call.

Please note:Upon booking, the hotel will collect a deposit equal to one night’s stay. This deposit is refundable if you cancel your reservation at least 72 hours prior to your check-in time, after which time your deposit will be forfeited. Payment for your reservation will be due in full at check-in. 

Parking 

Booked Hotel Guest Self-Park: $41 per night plus applicable taxes (with in & out privileges)
Booked Hotel Guest Valet: $45 per night plus applicable taxes
Electric Car Charging Station
Prices are subject to change without notice. 

Getting there  

Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
1000 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6Z 2R9
Tel: 1-604-331-1000 

Vancouver International Airport
Distance from Property: 7.9 KM
Tel: 1-604-207-7077 

Train Station: Pacific Central Station
Distance from Property: 3.1km 

Bus Station: Pacific Central Station
Distance from Property: 3.1km 

Uber/Taxi 

Uber is available at the Vancouver International Airport.  

  • International Pickups: Follow “International Arrivals” on Level 2 to the “Ride App Pick-up” curb.
  • Domestic Pickups: Follow “Canada Arrivals” on Level 2 to the “Ride App Pick-up” curb.
  • South Terminal Pickups: Head south on Russ Baker Way and follow the “South Terminal” signs. 

Plan your visit 

Plan your visit or extend your stay in Vancouver by checking out Destination Vancouver’s lists of things to do in the area. 

Contact

Please email [email protected] or call 1-613-769-9500. 

Contact

Please email [email protected].

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Reception

We hope you’ll join us immediately after the first day concludes to continue the conversation and enjoy some refreshment and small bites among great company.

Pack your running shoes for the SecuR&E Fun Run!

Kick-start your morning with a 5 km Fun Run on May 1, before the start of SecuR&E Forum Day 2!

We’ll meet at 7 a.m. in the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre lobby and discover Vancouver alongside new and old friends.

Full route details to be shared later.

P.S.: Runners will receive fun swag for participating!